Inhaler device

Abstract

An inhaler device ( 1 ) for powdered medicaments. The device ( 1 ) has a body ( 5 ) that has a recess ( 50 ) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage ( 90 ) that is tangentially disposed to the recess ( 50 ) , and a mouthpiece ( 30 ) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage ( 70 ) that communicates with the recess ( 50 ) of the body ( 5 ). The body ( 5 ) has a pair of opposed spring ( 105 ) biased push-buttons ( 40 ) that each include at least one piercing element ( 95 ) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess ( 50 ). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) ( 90 ) into the recess ( 50 ) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece ( 30 ) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body ( 5 ) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler ( 1 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An inhaler device for powdered medicaments, the inhaler device comprising:
 a body having a recess for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, the recess formed to allow the capsule to spin within the recess about a longitudinal axis of the inhaler; 
 at least one air passage that is tangentially disposed to the recess; 
 a mouthpiece including a coaxially disposed inhalation passage that is adapted to communicate with the recess of the body; and 
 capsule-piercing means on said body for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess so that the medicament is released when air is drawn through the at least one air passage into the recess and swirled about therein; 
 wherein the capsule-piercing means comprises a pair of opposed spring biased push-buttons that each include at least one piercing element and wherein the mouthpiece is pivotally attached to a back edge of the body by a hinge so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler by a user applying a push force to the mouthpiece, wherein said hinge axis is parallel to an axis of actuation of said capsule-piercing means, and a back of the body further including a groove to help a user distinguish the back of the device from the front. 
 
     
     
       2. An inhaler according to  claim 1 , wherein the piercing element is a needle or sharpened pin. 
     
     
       3. An inhaler according to  claim 1 , wherein the inhaler further comprises a removable cap and mouthpiece guides that are provided on the inner surface of the cap and that engage the mouthpiece. 
     
     
       4. An inhaler according to  claim 3 , wherein ribs are provided on the inner surface of the cap. 
     
     
       5. An inhaler according to  claim 1 , in combination with the capsule that contains a powdered medicament. 
     
     
       6. An inhaler according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge further comprises a pair of opposed axle slots in the body that accommodate projections from a hinge member of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
       7. An inhaler according to  claim 1 , wherein the capsule-piercing means comprises a pair of push-buttons mounted on the body so that they move along the axis of actuation. 
     
     
       8. An inhaler according to  claim 5  wherein the powdered medicament comprises a beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist. 
     
     
       9. An inhaler according to  claim 5  wherein the powdered medicament comprises glycopyrrolate. 
     
     
       10. An inhaler according to  claim 5  wherein the powdered medicament comprises mometasone. 
     
     
       11. An inhaler according to  claim 5  wherein the powdered medicament comprises a compound of the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       in free, salt or solvate form, wherein Ar is a group of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       in which R 29 , R 30  and R 31  are each H, R 1  is OH, R 2  and R 3  are each H, n is 1, R 4  and R 7  are each H and R 5  and R 6  are each CH 3 CH 2 — and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk* has the R configuration. 
     
     
       12. An inhaler according to  claim 5  wherein the powdered medicament comprises (R)-5-[2-(5,6-diethyl-indan-2-ylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl]-8-hydroxy-1H-quinolin-2-one maleate.